Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved ten general and other measures, the promulgation of legislation, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister of Justice made a statement concerning a Diet report pursuant to the Act on Wiretapping for Criminal Investigation; Minister Yamaguchi made a statement concerning Northern Territories Day; Prime Minister Abe and Minister Amari made statements concerning the implementation of the Immediate Economic Measures for Extending Virtuous Cycles to Local Economies; the Minister of Finance made a statement concerning the passage of the FY2014 supplementary budget; the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning local governments’ prompt enforcement of programs based on the Immediate Economic Measures for Extending Virtuous Cycles to Local Economies; and Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits, among other matters.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made a statement concerning ensuring the smooth execution of public works; and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning ensuring the swift and smooth execution of public works by local governments.

During today’s Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet approved the invitation of Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong of Laos for an Official Working Visit to Japan. Prime Minister Thongsing will visit Japan from March 4 to 7. On March 5 of this year, Japan and Laos will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. During the visit, events commemorating the 60th anniversary will be held in the presence of Prime Minister Thongsing. In recent years, the economic ties between Japan and Laos have quickly grown stronger, and it is hoped that people-to-people exchanges will be further promoted. In 2016, Laos will assume the first chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following the formation of the ASEAN Community. We hope that through this visit, the two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations as well as on the regional and international situation, among other matters, and deepen the partnership between the two countries.

Q&As

• The air strikes operation against ISIL by U.S. and other countries
• The Japan-China-ROK relations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question in connection with the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL). The Jordanian Armed Forces have resumed a large-scale air strike operation against ISIL targets, as retaliation for its murder of the Jordanian pilot. Can you please share the Government’s comments?    

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the air strikes of the Jordanian Armed Forces, first of all, as was made evident from ISIL’s murder of Japanese nationals, ISIL is a despicable armed terrorist group that neglects the rule of law, which forms the basis of the international community, that conducts brutal violence, and that has claimed so many lives. It is a fact that ISIL poses a grave threat to the maintenance of international order. Under these circumstances, Jordan, together with the international community, has continued its effort to contend with ISIL, and took this military action. As this concerns an individual military action of another country, Japan would like to refrain from making comments. Our understanding is that the air strikes against ISIL by the United States and other countries are measures that were taken to stop the further escalation and aggravation of the situation due to ISIL’s activities.        

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to media reports, a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting between Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will be held in late March in Seoul. What is the status of the arrangements?    

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of the media reports. However, I have been briefed that the three countries are still coordinating on the exact date and location, and nothing has been decided at this point in time. In any case, the ROK is chairing this meeting, and therefore, I believe the ROK is leading the efforts for the holding of this meeting.